01. 07. 2005

JOURNALIST’S POSSESSIONS SEIZED

JAGODINA, July 1, 2005 – Personal belongings of the “Novi Put” journalist Relja Milanovic have been seized due to the decision of the local court to remunerate damages of 250.000 dinars (3.150 EUR) for “causing the mental damages” to the former director of Jagodina brewery Jovan Stojanovic. The Jagodina Court Executors have confiscated pieces of journalist’s furniture in the name of the court’s order for damage compensation. Milanovic was charged for damaging Stojanovic in his reporting on reasons for Stojanovic’s arrest in the action “Saber” during the murder investigation of the journalist Milan Pantic. “They can take my stuff, but they can’t take away numerous international and local awards and social acknowledgements that I have received for my achievements in journalism”, said Milanovic. Milanovic also claimed to be freed of libel charges since he had received the information on Stojanovic’s arrest in light of cracking the journalist Pantic’s murder case from the police sources. Milanovic has however been charged for damages to reputation with 250.000 dinars. Stojanovic has received the compensation of 110.000 dinars from the state for being arrested in the police action “Saber”.